John Lennon‘s widow Yoko Ono is to host a TOP OF THE TOPS special to be broadcast on September 27 in the UK, devoted entirely to the former BEATLE‘s music.
Ono will introduce a selection of Lennon’s solo tracks including ‘Power To The People’, ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ and ‘Instant Karma’, adding her own memories of particular recording sessions. She will also speak frankly about their time together.
Meanwhile, there is a host of other Lennon related activity set for October 9, the date Lennon would have celebrated his 60th birthday.
As previously announced on nme.com, ‘John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band’ and 1980’s ‘Double Fantasy’ will be reissued. Each album will feature original artwork, some additional period photographs and a number of bonus tracks.
In the UK, Channel 4 will screen a 75-minute documentary on his life followed by an hour-long tribute featuring Lennon’s songs performed by today’s stars. The show, recorded earlier this month in Beatles producer Sir George Martin‘s Air Studios, features amongst others, Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller.
And in Japan on the same date the first ever permanent John Lennon Museum will open in Toyko.